HOW IT WORKS

IDEATE - EDUCATE

In a series of workshops facilitated by industry-leading experts participants get a crash-course in small team dynamics, design thinking and agile methodologies. Founders, and those with unique skills looking to join a team, develop their value propositions and prepare to pitch their idea to panel of internal judges. Using a points-based voting system, 5-10 ideas will be selected to move forward to the build-pitch stage.

BUILD - PITCH

Once into the build stage all focus shifts towards getting an MVP up and running in time for a final presentation to accelerators and VCs. Over 5 workshops, teams develop their service design, brand/marketing strategy, and build out their business model and pitch. Guiding them along this journey are industry mentors to prepare them to put their best foot forward on pitch day.

2018 SCHEDULE

Workshop 1: How to build your team

25% of business fail because the team wasn't right. In workshop 1 - Bryan Stroube, Professor in strategy and entrepreneurship at LBS, outlines how to make sure you're not one of them.

Workshop 2: Start-up methodologies

Launchpad is open to seasoned entrepreneurs and 1st time founders alike. In workshop 2 - BCG Digital Ventures takes participants through a series of practical exercises to get them familiar with the agile, fast paced methodologies necessary to win in the start-up world.

Workshop 3: Design Thinking

Good businesses solve real problems. In workshop 3 - Frog Design will be introduce participants to the fundamentals of design thinking, but more importantly helping them practically apply their world-leading frameworks to their problems.

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INTERNAL PITCH

Each team has 10 minutes to pitch their idea and field questions from a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs. Based on a point scoring system the top 8 teams progress to the build-pitch stage

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Workshop 5: Build your marketing strategy

In workshop 5 - branding agency Huge will help teams think about their product positioning and customer acquisition models.

Workshop 6: The funding decision

One of the biggest decision facing any new business - where and how to get funded. This workshop will be led by Seedlegals and will focus on creating a viable business model and funding roadmap.

Workshop 7: Building your MVP

Le Wagon will lead this session and bring their industry leading expertise to teams as they start to bring their ideas to life with initial wireframes and lo-fi designs.

Workshop 8: Deck building and pitch practice

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EXTERNAL PITCH

After 3 months of prep, each team will pitch to selection of VC and angel investors and accelerators for the chance of real investment or a place in upcoming accelerator cohorts.

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How to Apply

Applications for Launchpad 2018 are now closed.

To register interest for Launchpad 2019 that will start in the Autumn of 2018, click below!